These are just a few
examples of different books you can provide for your students to read. These
book reviews are intended to show the diversity of books that can be
discovered.This is primarily African American literature. More to come regarding additional cultures, students with disabilities, low income, etc.
Why We Can’t Wait By Martin Luther King, Jr.
This
book written by Dr. Martin Luther King himself gives details into the planning
and implementation of the civil rights movement. It helps one to understand
that the movement was more than just a large amount of people protesting. Dr.
King talks about the attitude that it was not quite time for people to rise up,
that change would happen over time, and people should not force the issue. He
talks about how they could not just wait for the white men in government to decide
to gift African Americans with equality as this was just another form of
victimization. The Civil Rights movement created change due to careful planning
and an understanding of the inner workings of society. Through thoughtful
planning and precise strategies the movement was heard. He explains how with
concerted effort of concentrated protests in front of businesses they could
influence the movement by causing an interruption of money flow into white
business districts. Few people realize how strongly this pushed people to
listen as African Americans refused to frequent white establishments and
organized sit-ins to discourage others from entering. This book brilliantly
maps out the civil rights movement and shows students how the refusal to accept
the status quo influenced generations to come.
Reading level 6+. Teachers guide available at: http://www.thekinglegacy.org/sites/default
/files/resources/ why_we_cant_wait_teachers_ guide.pdf
Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
Poetry written by students from a Bronx high
school. These poems uncover the thoughts and feelings of these young people as
they read them allowed to their classmates who previously never would have
known about the life they lived in silence. Reading level 8+
New
York Public Library Amazing African American History: A Book of Answers
This
book discusses details about the
Buffalo soldiers, the Harlem Renaissance, the Little Rock Nine, etc. It covers
African American history from the Civil War through present time. Reading level
4+
African-American
Astronauts By Dr.
Stanley P. Jones and L. Octavia Tripp
This book describes how
to become an astronaut coupled with a glossary of space terms. There 5
biographies of African American astronauts and their backgrounds. Reading levels grades 2-5.
Langston Hughes: Poetry for Young People By Langston Hughes
This book presents a selection of some of the greatest poems
of the Harlem Renaissance era by Langston Hughes. Topics such as African
heritage, segregation, music, and travel are addressed. Reading level 7+
Marching for Freedom: Walk Together,
Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary
By Partridge,
Elizabeth.
Amazing
book on the role children played in the Civil Rights Movement. Reading level 7+
No
Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row By Kuklin, Susan.
4 stories, each from a young man in prison who
has a committed a crime he regrets. 1 story from the perspective of a victim’s
family. Reading level 8+
Additional more diverse reading list:
Additional more diverse reading list:
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